Player

Alex Usanov

Prop - Leinster - Belvedere College - Clontarf RFC

Profile

Alex Usanov is a loosehead prop in the Leinster senior squad, with one of the clearest modern pathway stories in the group. His rugby route runs from Malahide RFC through Belvedere College, Clontarf, Leinster age-grade rugby and Ireland underage rugby. He played Leinster Schools Junior and Senior Cup rugby with Belvedere before moving through Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools and into the Ireland U20 set-up.

His AIL exposure with Clontarf was a key part of the jump. Usanov made his Division 1A debut against Dublin University shortly after finishing school and scored his first senior try before Christmas, giving him senior adult rugby before he had fully left the underage pathway behind.

There is more to him than the usual front-row profile. Usanov has a strong multi-sport background, including judo, jiu-jitsu and shot put, which helps explain the physical base that made him stand out early. He moved into the Leinster Academy for 2024/25 and signed his first senior Leinster contract ahead of the 2025/26 season.

His senior breakthrough came quickly. He made his first Leinster start against Glasgow Warriors in March 2026 and was then named to start in Leinster's Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Sale Sharks in April 2026. His profile now links local club rugby, Belvedere school rugby, Clontarf AIL rugby, Ireland U20 and early senior professional involvement in one unusually compressed pathway.

Linked Public Pages

• Belvedere College
• Clontarf RFC

Related Matches

Public Honours And Pathway Tags

• U20
• U18S
• U19
• U18C